Latest Read: Infinite by Jodi Meadows

Here are the basics ...
Infinite (Newsoul #3) by Jodi Meadows
Publication date: Jan. 28, 2014
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Category: Young Adult - Fantasy
Source: Borrowed from Alexa (Thanks!)

Summary: The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk. Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach. The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all. (Adapted goodreads.com)

My thoughts…

The good: I was at a book event recently and one of the authors said something I felt was so true - a final book can make or break an entire series. Luckily with Newsoul, I loved Incarnate, I loved Asunder and I didn’t have any doubts that Infinite would deliver the same level of awesomeness. And it did! Everything thus far has been leading up to this moment. A culmination of Ana’s fight against Janan and close-minded oldsouls, being the voice for newsouls and facing the future — her own and the one she hopes to share with Sam — no matter how long or short her life may be. By the end of Asunder, Ana is exiled from the Range and we see the journey this puts her on in Infinite. Ana, Sam and other newsoul sympathizers leave the Range for their safety as Janan supporters continue to grow (mostly out of fear) and to find a way to stop Janan from ascending on Soul Night. I firmly believed from page one that Ana could succeed but the question on my mind was - at what cost?

The world-building and detail in Infinite continues to impress me. There’s reincarnation, shadow creatures called sylph, dragons, phoenixes and centaurs. And we get a much closer look at all of them as Ana, Sam and their friends encounter these creatures along the way. At one point, Sam remarks to Ana that she’ll just go up to anyone (or anything rather) and start talking. It made me chuckle but it’s part of why I love her character. She’s up against so much and half the time, she’s not even sure what she should be doing but that doesn’t stop her from trying. Even if her attempts are dangerous and borderline insane. Her companions begin to have their doubts too. (Stef, I’m looking at you.) Ana seems to be on a thin ice with everyone, Sam included, but she continues to trust herself. And I think her trials made the good moments (like swoony kissing scenes with Sam) that much sweeter.

Ultimately, I think what satisfied me the most though was how the author was able to tie up all the loose ends.  Every passing moment felt important to the story or to the growth of the characters. And Infinite concluded the path Ana and everyone has been on from book one in a way that made complete sense.

(No) reservations: Um, more Sam and Ana? But I always think that because I can never get enough of their scenes.

Do I recommend?: Yes! I said this before but it’s an underrated series and I’m glad I decided to take the time to binge-read.

Happy reading!